mumps

The Missouri University of Science and Technology said in a news release Wednesday that a single student has contracted the illness. Students at the Rolla school are urged to contact health officials if they believe they may be infected. Health officials are monitoring reports to determine whether further measures are needed.

Caroline Brown, a sophomore at the University of Missouri got a fever over Thanksgiving break. Soon it became painful to bite down, and her cheek began to swell. A trip to her physician confirmed it – Caroline had the mumps.

“Mumps kind of sounds like this archaic thing,” Brown said. “We get vaccinated for it - it just sounds like something that nobody gets. So I just didn’t think that it was possible that I would get it.”

Officials said at least 73 confirmed and probable cases of mumps have been reported at the University of Missouri.

The Columbia Missourian reports that many of the cases of the viral infection are linked to the school's Greek life community. The outbreak began in early November with four confirmed cases. The executive director of the university's health center said all infected students have been vaccinated, but the vaccine does not prevent 100 percent of infections.

The number of confirmed mumps cases at the University of Missouri is growing amid a national rise in cases.

The university plans to provide an update each Wednesday. As of Nov. 9, the university had recorded 17 cases since the beginning of the fall semester. The school says all the students received the required two doses of a vaccine that protects against mumps, as well as measles and rubella.

Mumps is a viral infection that causes swelling in the salivary glands and cheeks. Anyone with symptoms is asked to stay at home.

All five of the MU students with confirmed cases of mumps had received the recommended measles, mumps and rubella or MMR vaccine.

The Boone County Department of Public Health confirmed the five cases of mumps Thursday. All five students are between the ages of 20 and 23.

Mumps is a virus that can cause fever, body aches, pain and swelling. Children are typically vaccinated for the disease at around one year, and again at 4 to 6 years. According to the Center for Disease Control, two doses are 88 percent effective at preventing the disease.